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Original poster

help/guidance on toilet training

29 replies

happyfrown · 12/08/2017 13:58

my puppy is pretty good at going on the pad, will only do morning one on the pad I find the others are away from the pad? and is great at being half on half off the mat when peeing Hmm but he does go to it so good for me.

so since walking him, he will sometimes poo out on walks but as soon as he gets in will run straight to the pad to pee. ive tried taking him out the front when he heads towards the pad for a wee but I guess the urge is gone from the distraction.
ive tried taking the pad out the front too he will just run back to the spot - where pad is usually and pee. I have odour destroying cleaner. I shut the front door and he will just lay down and stay til I go back in.

yesterday I tried to keep him on a house line and take him out for a stupid amounts of walks or sit out the front garden with him for ages. he just wont go. any advice would be great.

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Original poster
happyfrown · 12/08/2017 14:00

sorry supposed to read 'he will only do morning POO on the pad rest are away from it....

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Ropsleybunny · 12/08/2017 14:03

Stop using the pad and go back to basics. Take him outside every 20 minutes when he's awake. Take him out when he wakes up, after a game and after meals.

If an accident does happen in the house make sure you clean up thoroughly but don't make say anything to the puppy.

When he goes outside make a big fuss of him. He will soon get it.

Original poster
happyfrown · 12/08/2017 14:17

I don't tell him off for accidents as he usually goes pretty much near the pad each time. but when I have picked up the pad to disinfect to lay new pad he will pee while nothing is there. so I think he has just got used to toileting in the spot.

when I wake up he has usually done his morning pee and poop and has no interest in going when I put him out side. even putting pad out side he wouldn't pee. I thought he just didn't like peeing whilst on the lead cos he will go to the pad when I take the lead off- runs over to pee. but if I left him on it, like yesterday he didn't even want to go on the pad (whilst still on lead) he went hours and hours before finally going at 11pm last night! but I was worried pup holding it that long isn't good right? and yes I praised him ridiculously when he did go outside. Smile

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Catinthecorner · 12/08/2017 14:21

Yep. You've taught him that's the toilet spot.

Set your alarm early, catch him before his morning ablutions, outside for you both, nice long walk and crazy praise when he does go.

Unfortunately it will take awhile. You're now trying to undo the training you've already done.

BiteyShark · 12/08/2017 15:29

The downside of puppy pads is that you have to toilet train twice as they have learnt it is ok to go inside. Get rid of them completely and go back to basics.

Original poster
happyfrown · 12/08/2017 15:56

thanks for your help

I guess the only good thing about the pads is as least he's not peeing all over the room and be like a mine field.

ive just come in from walking, then sitting outside with him for 20mins. came in and peed on the pad - with the lead still on so im hoping he feels that he can pee on the lead outside. but will give ridding the pad a try.

thanks again.

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Ropsleybunny · 12/08/2017 18:01

The other thing to consider is putting the pad in the garden. I used to set my alarm to start with, it's a pain but short lived.

Original poster
happyfrown · 12/08/2017 19:43

ive tried pad outside he didn't bother.
how many times did you get up during the night to take yours out. to give me an idea. thanks

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Ropsleybunny · 12/08/2017 20:26

I only got up the once.

Original poster
happyfrown · 12/08/2017 20:42

ah ok. I put a clean pad down before I go to bed and when I wake up theres one wee and poo done so I know he is ok for during the night. I just need to get up before he goes then. thanks

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Original poster
happyfrown · 13/08/2017 09:48

I took the pad away. kept him on a house line because I turned my back for 5mins to do DD a drink and he peed! I missed it.
anyway, took him out loads late yesterday eve. finally peed at 11am again, praised like a loon.
i decided to sleep on the sofa, with the line still attached so i can feel him pull to go toilet on the other side of the room (his usual spot). im glad i did cos he pulled at 3.30am, took him outside and he pooped!
went back to sleep and surprised to be woken by DD coming in the room at 9am! pup was just calmly laying down, great lay in Smile took him outside and he done his pee. great start today. hopefully he will go whilst out on his walk.

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Original poster
happyfrown · 13/08/2017 09:50

11pm not am

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Catinthecorner · 13/08/2017 13:55

Excellent start. Now just keep it going

Any reason you aren't crate training? It can help the overnight toileting

Wolfiefan · 13/08/2017 14:00

Join dog training advice and support on FB. Great advice in files on toilet training and loads of other stuff.

Original poster
happyfrown · 13/08/2017 14:40

the crate would of been last resort if i couldn't crack it. putting a pad down was my mistake so hopefully i can retrain him now the right way.
thanks for the info Smile

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pigsDOfly · 13/08/2017 15:02

Yes, puppy pads really aren't a good idea. You're basically teaching him it's okay to use the house as a lavatory.

As pps have said, get rid of the puppy pads and start training him to go outside.

When he pees on the floor, what are you cleaning it with? You need to use something that will completely eliminate his odour. Johnson make a spray for this purpose that is brilliant. The smell of ordinary disinfectant is likely to encourage him to keep going back to the same spot.

Ropsleybunny · 13/08/2017 15:32

Well done OP, real progress already.

Original poster
happyfrown · 13/08/2017 15:56

for the cleaning i got something off ebay that is used for disinfecting kennels. think its called fresh pets? has odour eliminator on it. i think its more habit than the smell attracting him.
so how long am i sofa surfing for? do i train him to hold his toilet during the night or does he just learn to hold as he gets older?
sorry for stupid questions.

i missed an accident earlier as i needed to wash and didn't want to drag him in the bathroom. so came down to poo and pee. although he was offered a chance to go before i went upstairs and during his walk. hasn't been since and im taking him out regular - i can see him holding it a again to breaking point at silly o'clock tonight! definitely test your patience Wink

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pigsDOfly · 13/08/2017 18:00

Do you have a word you use to tell him what you want him to do OP?

It can take a long time for some puppies to get the idea, but eventually you should have him peeing on command. It is hard but he will get it eventually.

Original poster
happyfrown · 13/08/2017 18:57

yes I say go wee wees. then praise him saying wee wees good boy is high silly voice. Smile

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pigsDOfly · 13/08/2017 19:09

Aaw. Sounds as if you're doing everything right. It's just taking it's time. How old is he btw?

pigsDOfly · 13/08/2017 19:13

Must admit it can be tedious even when they're grown up. Many's the night I stand at my back door at half past midnight (I go to bed late) saying, 'please go pee pee' while my dog wanders round the garden having a last sniff before bed.:)

Original poster
happyfrown · 13/08/2017 19:15

thanks, im hoping to nail toilet training before he starts to cock a leg up the sofa! ive heard they go backwards in training at adolescence. joy Hmm

he is coming up 13wks.

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BiteyShark · 13/08/2017 19:19

13 weeks is still very young. Mine took many weeks to fully crack it but they do get there in the end.

And the cocking of leg.... you never know it might not happen, my 10.5 month old still pees like a girl Grin

Original poster
happyfrown · 13/08/2017 19:19

yes I do get 'why did I do this' moments. missed my bed last night Grin

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